News
Investigation launched after 'unacceptable' Holocaust t-shirt seen at university event
September 23, 2016 09:05
By, Josh Jackman
1 min read
ByJosh Jackman, Josh Jackman
University students wearing t-shirts with racist phrases including “The Holocaust was a good time” at an official freshers’ event have prompted an investigation.
The t-shirt was worn during Exeter University Snowsports Club’s white t-shirt event on Tuesday. Another student was emblazoned with the words: “Don’t speak to me if you’re not white”.
The photos were posted on Twitter by Dimi Reider of Israel-Palestine news blog 972mag.com, who got them from a Palestinian friend of his who was at the event.
In response to the photos, a university spokesman said: “The University of Exeter is an inclusive and friendly environment where all students are welcomed.
“Antisemitic, racist or bigoted behaviour in any form is not tolerated. An investigation was launched as soon as the University learnt of this incident.”
A spokeswoman for the Union of Jewish Students said: "It is extremely concerning to see the use of such antisemitic language at the University of Exeter.
"Any language that glorifies the Holocaust is unacceptable and is not something that any student should have to experience during their time at university.
"We welcome the university’s decision to investigate the incident and the action that has so far been taken against the relevant society. We will be working with Exeter J-Soc in ensuring that appropriate action is taken."
Mark Kiner, Exeter Jewish Society's publicity officer, said: "This seems to be a very isolated case and not a recurring theme at the university.
"The only thing that I might add is our gratitude to the Palestinian student who first spotted, posted, and then condemned this incident on social media."
Josh Callander, president of the Athletic Union and a Middle East Studies graduate, said his union “operates a zero-tolerance policy towards racist or bigoted behaviour".
“We have banned any future sporting social events which involve the practice of students writing on white t-shirts," he said. "We want to prevent anything like this happening again, and I would like to apologise to anyone affected.
“We have run more than 200 sporting taster sessions for new students this month and we are very disappointed that the unacceptable actions of a few individuals has overshadowed what has so far been a very successful Fresher’s Week.”
